Tinian finalizing harbor loan package
The Tinian municipal government said it is now finalizing its loan package to finance the repair of the island’s harbor.
“Were working right now on the package. We’re almost done,” said Russel Long, acting chief executive officer of the Tinian Mayor’s Office.
He said that Tinian Mayor Jose P. San Nicolas’ visit to the Philippines this week is related to the harbor project.
“He is meeting with businessmen. He is also going to Subic Bay to look at the breakwater,” said Long in an interview.
Long, who is the local director for budget and planning, said the municipal government may also consolidate the loan needed for the harbor and a second emergency project, the dumpsite.
“If possible, we’ll try to combine them, that is, if financing cost is less. Otherwise, we will separate them,” he said.
San Nicolas issued another disaster emergency on the island Monday due to environmental issues related to its open dumpsite.
In his declaration, San Nicolas said that over the past eight years, the municipality has been warned by Commonwealth and federal officials of the dangers of above ground and below ground fires at the Tinian landfill but up to now it has not been closed and relocated.
He said its continued operation has resulted in the accumulation of carbon monoxide in the surrounding areas.
He said it has polluted Barcinas Bay, a premier fishing and diving spot on the island and has hampered aircraft landing at the nearby airport due to fires.
The mayor said the Federal Aviation Administration has already required the Commonwealth Ports Authority to close the landfill and relocate it away from the airport.
“As such, I find that the threat of the continued use of the Tinian landfill on the environment and the health and safety of the people and visitors of Tinian mandates the issuance of this declaration of state of disaster emergency,” said the mayor.
In both emergency cases, the mayor can reprogram local funds and suspend procurement regulations.
The municipality, however, seriously lacks money to reprogram, prompting it to look for loans outside.
The landfill project requires some $2.3 million while the harbor repair needs $2.5 million.
